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Video

Most (63%) of global social media users prefer short videos from creators, according to a March impact.com and EMARKETER survey.

The Trade Desk’s connected TV (CTV) operating system, Ventura, is entering a crowded market dominated by giant tech players like Amazon—but TTD views the operating system as a yearslong bet on increasing transparency in the CTV market, senior vice president of Ventura Matthew Henick told EMARKETER. Big Tech’s hold on the CTV operating system space will persist for some time, but Ventura hints at trends that could disrupt that dominance. TTD’s push to improve transparency and addressability for both publishers and advertisers taps into a growing discontentment with the Big Tech status quo.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how much TV streaming is really going on around the world, in which countries radio is holding its own, and short-form video’s place in the social media world. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst, Paul Briggs, Vice President of Research, Jennifer Pearson, and Chief Insight Officer at GWI, Jason Mander. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

YouTube now reaches 76.3% of Mexico’s internet users and has become the default screen in Mexican homes, per DataReportal. But the bigger story is how it’s being watched—mostly through connected TV (CTV). YouTube now sits at the center of Mexico’s CTV and cultural ecosystem. There’s an opportunity for marketers to capture attention by seeking out partner creators for sponsorships. Brands looking to connect should prioritize long-form CTV strategies that hold attention on the big screen, collaborate with local creators who understand community dynamics. and develop original, Spanish-language content that reflects local culture and values.

TiVo DVRs, Microsoft’s Windows 10, and Apple’s short-form video app Clips have all reached the end of the line in recent weeks. Each defined a digital moment—or a glimpse of the future—before succumbing to the same inevitable march of progress. The best brands treat change not as loss but as momentum by moving users, data, and goodwill forward before obsolescence arrives. Every innovation carries its own expiration date. Brands that don’t write their ending risk having it written for them.

Households may not be tapped out on subscriptions yet, but subscription fatigue is emerging as viewers seek more affordable ways to stream and rethink how much they’re willing to pay. Nine in 10 US households pay for at least one streaming service, per Parks Associates. Nearly half (45%) watched free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) in Q1 2025, up from 42% in Q1 2024. Although viewers may be accepting of ads, overload or irrelevant messaging could turn them away. Advertisers should: diversify placements, invest in creative testing and ad frequency controls, and focus data-driven buying.

OpenAI’s Sora iOS app sparked a wave of creative excitement—and an equally fast wave of scams. Exclusive to iOS and the web, Sora quickly climbed to the top of Apple’s download charts last week. But within days, the App Store was swarming with fake “Sora” and “Sora 2” apps, many hastily rebranded to ride the surge in interest. Opportunists exploit the gap between trademark enforcement, app verification, and public awareness—turning brand equity into bait. Brands must act fast to secure trademarks, domains, and search terms tied to new launches or risk losing trust and revenues to copycats.

Tubi is giving advertisers a broader arsenal of contextual targeting tools through an expanded partnership with Viant. The free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform is tagging its on-demand content based on emotional and thematic cues, per Digiday, with categories such as “hopeful” or “suspenseful.” For CMOs, this represents a turning point—contextual intelligence is a strategic advantage for brand safety, emotional alignment, and performance in an increasingly fragmented streaming landscape. Leaning into emotional targeting tools will let marketers fully capitalize on FAST’s growth, the platforms’ broad range of content, and the opportunity to dominate ad fill.

The subscription economy is on track to surge 67% over the next five years, reaching $1.2 trillion globally by 2030, according to Juniper Research. Digital video subscriptions lead the way and account for more than a third of all spending. The subscription model is scaling, but trust is fragile. With large shares of consumers across markets feeling they pay too much, retention will define the next growth phase. Retention must be part of the design from the start—transparent pricing and policies, simple cancellation or tier-change processes, and clear, distinct benefits—so subscriptions become habits, not burdens.

YouTube TV is in a dicey position after it lost access to Univision networks and reached a temporary extension with NBCUniversal as a total blackout looms. Brands should prepare for fragmentation and adapt accordingly. Looking to CTV and OTT platforms with more stable sports offerings—like Prime Video and its 11-year deal with the NBA and WNBA—will provide a cushion amid uncertainty.

TikTok now reaches audiences and moments that traditional TV can’t. For brands, it’s become an essential platform to stay culturally relevant and capture attention where people are most engaged.

Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is becoming an increasingly important part of the connected TV (CTV) landscape as audience interest skyrockets, per a new Wurl study. Brands can view FAST as a core part of the CTV media mix, leveraging early-adopter advantages while continuing to invest in paid subscription services like Netflix that have lower churn rates.

Bad Bunny will make history at Super Bowl LX as the first artist to perform a halftime show entirely in Spanish. The move comes as Hispanics emerge as the nation’s most engaged digital video audience, with 83.7% penetration and nearly 56 million monthly viewers. It also arrives at a politically charged moment: Bad Bunny has openly criticized Trump-era policies, endorsed Kamala Harris, and refused to tour the US over ICE concerns. For brands, his Spanish-only set underscores the growing importance of bilingual and Latino audiences in media and marketing.

Streaming is outplaying movie theaters for most consumers, despite frustration around streamers’ rising subscription prices. Three-quarters of US adults have streamed a recently released movie in the past year instead of watching it in a theater, per an AP-NORC poll. Brands shouldn’t abandon theaters for streaming or vice versa but should instead focus on approaching each channel with a clear strategy. Streaming, especially ad-free tiers, offers data-driven targeting, while theaters offer cultural impact and immersive experiences. Strong campaigns will employ both, using streaming for precision and theaters for impact.

Several channels and platforms saw viewing hikes in August, largely driven by live sports, per Nielsen’s August 2025 Media Distributor Index. The platforms that thrive in an increasingly fragmented media landscape will be those that go all-in on live sports and build a diversified portfolio combining tentpole events like the Super Bowl and emerging growth drivers like women’s sports.

YouTube TV could lose access to programming from NBCUniversal’ Peacock as the companies struggle to reach a distribution agreement. Rather than purchasing ad slots tied to a single platform or broadcaster, leveraging data-driven audience segments will help cut across services to follow fans regardless of where they watch, ensuring continued reach as rights scatter.

Jimmy Kimmel’s return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! drew 6.3 million viewers, the show’s strongest 18–49 demo ratings for a regular episode in more than a decade, despite being blacked out on affiliates covering nearly a quarter of US households. His free speech monologue went viral, surpassing 19.7 million YouTube views to become his most-watched segment ever. The moment underscores both the enduring ability of linear TV to deliver tentpole audiences and the necessity of digital distribution to sustain reach. By amplifying his message, tactics to cancel Kimmel ultimately expanded his audience—proving digital video is now essential to late-night relevance.

Disney is raising streaming prices again; Disney+ ad-free will climb to $18.99 per month, Hulu’s ad tier will rise to $11.99, and bundles will increase by up to $3. The hikes follow similar moves by Apple TV+ and Peacock, as subscription inflation outpaces consumer budgets. Nearly half of US adults have altered streaming subscriptions in the past six months, with two-thirds of cancellations tied to high costs. Disney can point to premium franchises, ESPN, and bundles as value, but modest daily engagement gains make retention a tougher challenge in a saturated market.

Over half (51%) of US teen boys say they’ve made a purchase after watching a YouTube Shorts ad, compared with 43% of teen girls, according to June 2025 data from Precise TV.

DirecTV has launched on Vizio Smart TVs, broadening its reach and opening fresh advertising opportunities for brands, the companies announced Monday. DirecTV’s expansion into Vizio’s smart TVs dramatically widens its streaming footprint and gives advertisers a more measurable, performance-driven environment.